Combination rotary brush and brushing agent dispenser



W. MACK April 13, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 2, 1963 w w a N m 0E P I y I I #9 ms m g I m i I 2% b I l l E fl TIL lll m0 ldfiuv mm Fm Nw mm P v mm m? MW 9, .H mm 3 wv mvmv 5? Mm Q 2 Q E on oP N IVE INVENTOR.

Wil Iiam Mack ATTORNEY April 13, 1965 w. MACK 3,177,510

COMBINATION ROTARY BRUSH AND BRUSHING AGENT DISPENSER Filed Aug. 2, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

William Mack m, 2), W

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,177,510 COMBINATION ROTARY BRUSH AND BRUSHING AGENT DISPENSER William Mack, 79-11 41st Ave., Elmhurst 73, NY. Filed Aug. 2, 1963, Ser. No. 299,500 13 Claims. (Cl. 15-29) This invention relates to a power driven rotary brush in association with means for dispensing a brushing agent to the rotating brush; and more particularly concerns a rotary tooth brush including means for supplying dentifrice to the brush as the same rotates.

It has been suggested that rotary brushes such as toothbrushes or the like include self contained holders for dentifrice or other brushing agents which is to be supplied to the rotating brush. However in such devices, the holder for the brushing agent is located remotely from the brush and various tubings, ducts or passages of extended length are required to pass the contents of the holder to the brush. The capacity of such holders is quite limited and with the small diameters of the tubings, ducts or passages; clogging and incidental problems materially reduce the practicality of the devices.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a power driven brush such as a toothbrush or the like, together with a holder or container for dentifrice or other brushing agent, which is of a structure and location relative to the brush which permits the passage of brushing agent directly to the brush without intervening ducts, passages or tubings.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described, wherein the holder for the brushing agent may be of substantial capacity, yet allowing the device as a whole to be of a compact nature which lends itself to ready manipulation in use.

A further object of this invention is to provide in a device of the character described, an improved brushing agent holder having contours which augment the functional and esthetic characteristics of the device as a whole.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an improved rotary toothbrush having an improved dentifrice holder arranged for removable association therewith; the holder being quickly and readily replaced when the contents thereof are exhausted, by a similar prefilled holder.

Still another object of this invention is to provide in a device of the character described, casing means for holding a reversible motor for rotating a brush, together wtih battery means for energizing the motor and reversing switch means operable by a ring shaped member on the casing means, which ring shaped member also provides means for mounting the dentifrice holder thereon and for allowing the removal of the casing cover means to allow for replacement of the battery means.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide for use with a power driven, rotary brush, improved holder means for a brushing agent which is to be supplied to the rotary brush; such holder being of compact form yet having substantial capacity, and being of a walled construction which permits the contents thereof to be passed to an orifice located adjacent the brush upon lightly squeezing outer wall portions; together with a brush guard at the forward end of the holder which is movable in a manner to provide valved closure means for the holder orifice.

Still another object of this invention is to provide in a motor driven rotary brush having battery means for energizing the motor and improved switching means for effecting a reversal of the rotation of the brush.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal side elevational view of a rotary brush device embodying the invention, with a portion thereof in section;

FIG. 2 is a transverse section taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the switching elements of the device and the actuating means therefor; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing the combination guard and valved closure for the dispensing holder.

Referring in detail to the drawings, 10 designates a rotary toothbrush and associated dentifrice holder and dispenser, embodying the invention. The same comprises essentially a toothbrush assembly 11 mounted for rotation at the forward end of a metal casing 12, together with a tubular dentifrice holder generally indicated at 13, removably mounted in relation to casing 12. Within the casing 12 is disposed reversible motor means generally indicated at 14, which is energized by a battery 15 also disposed in said casing; the motor means 14 being operatively connected to the brush assembly 11 for rotating the same in either direction.

The brush assembly 11 comprises a conical brush element 16 of the dental polishing type, having a rearwardly extending stem 17 which is connected to an elongated flexible shaft connecting member nylon or light gauge spring wire. The dentifrice holder 13 is formed of blown or cast thin walled plastic to provide a receptacle of the squeeze bottle type. Holder 13 comprises an outer wall 19 tapering toward the forward end thereof, an end wall 20 at the forward end thereof which is formed with a central opening 20A and one or more dispensing openings 21 therein, and a rearwardly disposed end wall 22 with an externally threaded neck portion 23 extending rearwardly thereof.

A passage tube 24 is axially disposed within holder 13 to form the inner wall thereof, said tube 24 being connected at its rear end to neck portion 23 by a bushing 25. The stem 17 and shaft connecting member 18 of the brush assembly 11 pass longitudinally through tube 24, which is formed adjacent its forward end with an annular rib 26 for supporting the rotatable stem 17.

A conical brush guard 27 of a soft plastic or rubber material is non-removably, rotatably mounted on front end wall 20 of holder 13 and held in place by the forwardly disposed portion 23 of tube 24 which projects through the central opening 20A in end wall 20 and extends through a central opening 29 in the rear wall 29A of guard 27 registering with opening 20A and terminates in an annular outwardly extending flange portion 28A which engages the inner surface of wall 29A of guard 27. Guard wall 29A is formed with a dispensing opening 30 and as guard 27 is adapted to be rotated about its axis on tube portion 28, the opening 30 may be registered with one of the dispensing openings 21 in holder 13.to al+ low the contents C, such as dentifrice, thereof to be dispensed by way of said registering openings 21, 30.

The conical wall 31 of guard 27 extends about brush element 16 in spaced relation thereto, with its outer edge 32 located to expose the bristles of brush element 16 in a conventional manner. The dentifrice dispensed from openings 21, St) in response to light squeezing of holder wall 19, passes outwardly along the inner surface of guard 27 to the bristles of brush element 16. Guard 27 serves to hold back the corner portions of the mouth when device ltl is in use to brush the front surfaces of the rear teeth, thus avoiding the irritating contact of the brush with the inside of the cheek. In addition, guard 27 provides valved closure means for the dispensing orifices 21 angular. movement place opening '30 thereof with respect to openings 21.

' of holder 1-3 by suitable angular rotation thereof to dis- 7 way of electrically interconnected casings 12, 35 and 7 spring 56. V I i The outer endportions of contactor elements 57, 58

The holder 13 and guard 27 provide a removable. unit which allows the same after exhaustion of its contents C,

whether liquid, paste or the like, to be replaced by a.

new prefilled unit, such contents C being sealed within holder 13, by guard .27 in holder 13.

its sealing position relative to V are bent outwardly and awayfrom the disc 45 as at 65,

65A, 66, 66A respectively and the paired adjacent end portions 65, 66; and 65A, 66A are bridged by underlying fixedj contact members -67, 68 mounted 'on disc 45 and respectivelyconnected to the brushes of motor means 14 by condiletive strips 69, 70, respectively extending from rear end in a spring collet 33 fixed to the forwardend of y motor shaft 34. onmotor. means 14. wMotor means 14 is.

l The forward end of easing; wall 36 is externally, threaded as at 43. to receive threaded wall portion 44 of I the outer casing 12. The open'end of motor casing 35 disc 45 of dielectric laminatedphenolic' material and formed with a central opening 45A to pass motor shaft 34. Disc 45 has peripheral contact. with an annular flange 7 portion 46 at the forward end of easing wall 36 and 'is'held in place by means-of an annular metal shell member 47 comprising a flanged portion 48 spun over flange portion 46. Shell member 47 also includes a channeled portion 49 receiving andtightly clamping'the peripheral po ris closed by a combination terminal and switch contact contact members 67, 68.2 The inturned ends of contactor element portions 65, 66;: 65A, 66A, extend toward the contact members67, 68 in'slightly spaced relationthereto.

The motor 14 is connected'to battery 15 to eifect rota-' tion of brush member-16 in a desired direction by operation of switch actuating member I 51- through limited angular movement of ring member 52;;member 51 being provided on its inner facewithfour equiangularly spaced hemispherical projections 71 disposed on a circle having a radius equal to that of a circle upon which segmental contactor elements 57, 58 are located. a

The projections71 on member 51 are so located that a slight angularfmovement of ring member 52 in either direction -.will cause a camming actionin respect to the contactor element portions 65, 66; 65A, 66A, to bring either paired-contactor portions. 65,, 66A or paired contactor portions '66, 65A into-engagement with bridging contact members 67', 68; thus establishing.connections tions of disc 45; and 'a cupped portion 50 for enclosing.

peripheral portions of movable annular switch actuating member 51. I

Switch actuating member 51 is connected to a ring between the motor means 14 and battery 15 with a selected polarity :to cause. rotation ofthe motor means- 14 in a corresponding direction. I

- The spring action of contactor element portions 65, 66; 65A, 66A, is' effective, to return-ring member 52 to its neutral oropen circuit position, through their action on the hemisphericalprojections 71 on switch actuating member 51, when ring member 52 is released. The annular wall 51A of member 51 is notched at diametrically opposite points as at 72 to receive therein the lugs-61,v

shaped member 52 fiutedon its outer surface to allow 7 the same to be readily grasped and rotated. Member 5 2 is coaxially related to collet 33 and is in substantially annular, radially and inwa'rdly extending web portion 53 and'anaxially' disposed annular flange 54 forming a hub intowhichis'press fitted an axial, tubular extension 55 of switch actuating member 51 .:whereby member i51 has ber 52. I V a I Tubular extension 55 is internally threaded to receive the externally threaded neck portion 23 of holder 13;,

thus allowing holder 13 to be'screwed onto or unscrewed in response to movement of ring mem- 62'which' thus act as stop means for limiting the angular J displacement of ring member 52, to providefor the neces sarylca'mming and switchingimovements described above. .Whentorqueap'plied to ring member '52 exceeds that required for the switching actionythen ring member 52 effects a solid coupling action with casing'35, allowing casing 12 to be unscrewed from casing 35' to permit replacement of battery 15. V V

- A gasket 73 fixed'to flange 48 and the forward end of easing wall 36 and compressed by a shouldered portion 7 74 of casing 12 seals the compartment holding battery from'extensio'n 55,'when ringmernbe'r '52'is held against movement. g I Motor means 14 is is'energized by battery 15 of the conventional dry cell type disposed in the rear portion of casing 12,:-.the1 battery 7,15. making negative contact '15 from the ingress of moisture thereto.

' member'47provides a liquid tight seal'against the ingress of moisture into. the'switching'mechanism, A combination shaft seal member 76 and facev seal 77 are supported through the u'sualspring 56.makingcontact with the end wall 12A of casing 12. Aconductive path 'is e'stablished through the threaded'connect'ion between casings l2. and j 35 arid motonmeans 14 -is-electricallyconnected to stantiallysemi-circular segmental switch contactor elementsf'57, 58 of spring brass whichare riveted at their.

respective central portions todisc 45 as at 59, 60, through lugs 61, 62. .A conductive strip 63'exte'nds from contactor element 57 through an opening in disc 45 'to conductive washer 40 to establish contactor element 57 I;

as the positive connection to battery 15, while a conductive strip 64 extends from contactor element 58 through an opening in 'disc '45 and terminating-in an offset spring porti'on '65'Which makes resilient electrical contact withf the-inner surface of easing wall 36 to establish contactor element 58 asthei1'egative connection to battery 15 by V on the 'spring'zcollet ;33' which 1 is, fixed: to motor shaft 34. Seal. 77 thus-has a floating relation relative to the jcentral sealinglip portion 51B'of actuating memberSl which is formed witha central, tapered clearance opening 51C' to'freelyipass. the collet. 33 andjshaft 34 and thereby provides a;liquid tight'sealt'agains't the ingress ofmoisture; I

It is understood that" the holder13'is formed of suitable material suchas synthetic plastic including. polyethylene or the like, withyawall thickness which readily responds to 1 a squeezing action-to propel the contents'Cof the holder.

toward the openings 21, 30. Holder 13 isreadily un screwed from tubula'r extension .55 by fixing ring shaped member 52with one hand and rotating holder 13 in the proper direction with the other hand. Guard-27 and holder '13 are removed together as an integral unit.

described in the form of a toothbrush in association with a paste or liquid dentifrice holder, it is understood that with some modifications, such device may also be embodied for use for a variety of grinding, polishing, cleaning and related operations, where the device may be associated with a self-contained dispenser for abrasive, cleaning or polishing agents of a wide range of viscosities including thin liquids and heavy pastes.

Thus, the device of the instant invention is readily applicable for use as a portable manicuring brush; type cleaner, spot remover and shampooing device; jewelry cleaner and polisher; grinder; and the like.

As various changes might be made in the embodiment of the invention herein disclosed without departing from the spirit thereof, it is understood that all matter herein shown or described shall be deemed illustrative and not by way of limitation, except as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A rotary brush device comprising casing means, motor means within said casing means, a brushelement disposed forwardly of one end of said casing means, an elongated element coupling said brush element and said motor means, an elongated holder for carrying a brushing agent, interengageable means on one end of said holder and said casing means for removably mounting said holder on said casing means, said holder having a dispensing opening at the other end thereof for passing brushing agent to said brush element, and said holder including passage means extending longitudinally thereof, said elongated coupling elements extending through the passage means on said holder.

2. A rotary brush device comprising casing means, a motor within said casing means, a brush element disposed forwardly of one end of said casing means, an elongated member coupling said brush element and the shaft of said motor, an elongated tubular holder for carrying a brushing agent, said holder comprising outer and inner walls and end walls connecting said inner and outer walls at the opposite ends thereof,,the end wall at the forward end of said holder being formed with a dispensing opening located adjacent said brush element for passing brushing agent toward said brush element, cooperating means on the rear end wall of said holder and a forward portion of said casing means for removably mounting said holder on said casing means, said coupling member extending longitudinally through the inner tubular wall of said holder.

3. A device as in claim 2 and further including a guard member disposed adjacent said brush element, said guard member having a rear end wall rotatably mounted on the forward end wall of said holder, the rear wall of said guard member having a through opening for selective registry with or displacement from, the dispensing opening in the forward end wall of said holder in response to angular displacement of said guard member relative to said holder.

4. A device as in claim 2 wherein the outer tubular wall of said holder is of conical shape tapering toward the forward end thereof, and the rear end wall thereof includes an axially disposed threaded portion, said casing means including closure means at the forward end thereof, said closure means including axially disposed threaded means. for threaded engagement with the thread portion of said holder.

5. A device as in claim 1 wherein said motor is reversible, battery means within said casing means, circuit means including reversing switch means electrically connecting said motor and battery means, a ring shaped member located between said casing means and the rear portion of said holder and arranged for limited angular movement about the axis of said motor shaft and actuating means responsive to angular movement of said ring shaped member in either direction for selectively actuating said reversing switch means to rotate said motor shaft in a corresponding direction.

6. A device as in claim 5 and further including a dielectric member at the forward end of said casing means for mounting said reversing switch means, said switch means including fixed contacts and movable contacts, said actuating means including means for engaging said movable contacts to bring a selected combination of fixed and movable contacts into electrical contact upon angular movement of said ring shaped member in a selected direction.

7. For use with a rotary brush device having casing means, rotating means within said casing means, a brush element and an elongated connecting member extending from said brush element for coupling engagement with said rotating means; a holder for a brushing agent to be applied to said brush element, said holder comprising a tubular outer wall of compressible plastic material, a tubular inner wall, end walls connecting said inner and outer tubular walls at the opposite ends thereof, said connecting member passing through said inner tubular wall of the holder, a dispensing opening in one of said end walls, and means on the other end wall for removably mounting said holder on a forward portion of said casing means.

8. For use with a rotary toothbrush having casing means, rotating means within said casing means, a brush element and an elongated connecting member for coupling said brush element to said rotating means; a holder for brushing agent to be applied to said brush element, said holder comprising an elongated walled member including a pair of concentric tubular portions interconnected at their opposite ends to form an elongated annular chamber for holding brushing agent, one end of said holder being formed with a dispensing opening, the outer tubular portion of said holder being compressible to urge brushing agent towards and through said dispensing opening, and means on the other end of said holder for removably mounting said holder on a forward portion of said casing means with the elongated connecting member extending through the inner tubular portion of said holder.

9. A rotary toothbrush comprising casing means closed at one end and open at the other end, motor means within said casing means and having a forwardly projecting motor shaft extending through the open end of said casing means, means for closing the forward open end of said casing with a central opening therein for passing said motor shaft, a brush element longitudinally spaced from the open end of said casing means and having a stem portion coaxially related to said motor shaft, elongated coupling means for connecting said motor shaft and the stem of said brush element, an elongated tubular holder for carrying dentrifice, said holder including a compressible outer wall, cooperating axially disposed means on a rear portion of said holder and said casing closing means for removably mounting said holder on said casing means, said holder including a tubular inner wall for passing said elongated coupling means therethrough, the forward end of said holder being located adjacent said brush element and being formed with a dispensing opening whereby compression of the outer wall of said container will cause dentrifice from said container to pass outwardly through said dispensing opening to said brush element.

10. A rotary toothbrush comprising a first casing having a cylindrical side wall and closed at one end thereof and open at the other end thereof, reversible motor means within said casing, a second casing for enclosing said motor means, said first casing being removably mounted relative to said second casing, a dielectric contact and terminal member at one end of said second casing, battery means within said first casing and arranged to make electrical contact with the motor within said second casing, terminal and switching contacts on said dielectric member, circuit means connecting said motor and battery to said contacts, movable switching means for changing the circuit means connections to reverse said motor, a ring shapedmernber for actuating said switchingimeans, said ring shaped member bein'gcoaxially related to the shaft of said motor'andlocated'immediately forward of .theopen end of 'said first casing, said ring shaped memberbeing'angu'larly displaceable, contactson Isaid dielectric member providing stop m'eans engageable with cooperating portions of said ring shaped member for limiting the angular r'novement'of said ring shaped member,-a tubular dentrifice holder having means at'one end thereof for removably, mounting'said holder on an axiallydisposed portion of said ring shaped member, a brush element at the forward end of saidcontainer, axially'disposed, longitudinally extending means coupling saidbrush element with said motor shaft, a dispensing opening in the forward end of said holder for passing dentrifiee from said containerto'said brush-element, said ring shaped member beingcoupled to said second casing whereby upon applying a given torque-to said ring shaped member in. excess of that'required to actuate said:switc'hing means, said first casing --may' be detached from said second casing.

11. Ar'otary toothbrush comprising a tubular first casing open at one end, a tubular secondcasing within said first casingope'n at one end and coaxially related to said switch contacts being selectively, interconnected to. provide forreversal :ofsaid motor-Fin response to limited angular movement of said 21m shaped member. I

12. A rotary toothbrush comprisingan outer casing open at'oneiend thereo flfor holding battery means, an inner casing open at one end thereof :removably mounted within said outer casing, reversible mater means within said inner casing, the open ends ofv said casings being ad- 7 jacent each other *andfcooperating meanson'the open end portions of-said casings for detachably interconnecting said casings, a dielectric contact mounting, member 'atthe open end of said'in'ner casing, sv'vitching'means 'including switchingand terminalcontacts'on'said contaet mounting member, means "for actuating said switching means including a rotatable switch actuating member, means for mounting-said rotatable actuating member on said dielectric. membenland manually operable rotatable means operatively connectedto said rotatable switch actuating member for imparting angular movement-to said switch actuating member, circuit means for connecting said motor'meansand battery means with said switching "i and terminal contacts on said dielectric -member,-a brush first casing, the openends of saidcasings being adjacent each other, cooperating means detachably connecting said casings, a'reversible. motor within said second casing, battery means within said first casing-circuit means connecting said motor and said battery, dielectric closure, 'means at the. open end of said second casing, switching means on said "closure means including fixed andmovable contacts, switchactuating means rotatably'mounted on said second casing, means for rotating said switch actuating means comprising a ring shaped member coaxially related ,to: said casings -and"located adjacent the open end of said first casing, circuit means connecting:

the contacts of said switch means with said'motor and element, elongated means for'coupling said brush element with said motor means, dentrifriceholder means extending along said coupling .means and including a compressible Wallanda dispensing opening adjacent said brush ele'ment, and'coa'cting means on said holder and said rotatable switch actuating member for removably mounting said holder on said rotatable switching actuating member. 1 1

-13. A device as in claim 12' and including gasket; seal 1 ing means between the adjacent open end'p oiitions-of said battery, 'a tubular d'e'ntrifice holder coaxially relatedto and located forwardly ofsaid ring shaped member, co-

operating means on said holder. andsaid'switch actuating means for removably'mounting said holder on? said switch actuating means, saidholder including a tubular inner Wall 'a ndfa tubular outer'wan, end walls connecting the tubular innerand outerwalls at'the opposite ends through said inner tubular wallconnecting said brush element and the shaft of said motoiglthe forward end wall of said, holderfhaving a dispensing opening for passing" dentrifice 'from said 'holder to said brush element, said thereof, arota'table brush element disposed forwardly of A5 the forward end of said holder, couplingmeans extending casings, and gasket sealing means between'saidmanually operablerotatable means and said switching'lmeans. 35

References cite d by the Examiner V 'UNITEDSTATES PATENTS CHARLES "A; WILLMUTH, Primary Examinler. 

1. A ROTARY BRUSH DEVICE COMPRISING CASING MEANS, MOTOR MEANS WITHIN SAID CASING MEANS, A BRUSH ELEMENT DISPOSED FORWARDLY OF ONE END OF SAID CASING MEANS, AN ELONGATED ELEMENT COUPLING SAID BRUSH ELEMENT AND SAID MOTOR MEANS, AN ELONGATED HOLDER FOR CARRYING A BUSHING AGENT, INTERENGAGEABLE MEANS ON ONE END OF SAID HOLDER AND SAID CASING MEANS FOR REMOVABLY MOUNTING SAID HOLDER ON SAID CASING MEANS, SAID HOLDER HAVING A DISPENSING OPENING AT THE OTHER END THEREOF FOR PASSING BRUSHING AGENT TO SAID BRUSH ELEMENT, AND SAID HOLDER INCLUDING PASSAGE MEANS EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF, SAID ELONGATED COUPLING ELEMENTS EXTENDING THROUGH THE PASSAGE MEANS ON SAID HOLDER. 